THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA

History of the Great Wall :

The history of the Great Wall is said to start from the Spring and Autumn Periods when seven powerful states appeared at the same time. In order to defend themselves, they all built walls and stationed troops on the borders. At that time, the total length of the wall had already reached 3,107 miles, belonging to different states.

In 221 BC, the Emperor Qin absorbed the other six states and set up the first unified kingdom in Chinese history. In order to strengthen his newly born authority and defend the Huns in the north, he ordered connecting the walls once built by the other states as well as adding some sections of his own. Thus was formed the long Qin's wall which started from the east of today's Liaoning Province and ended at Lintao, Gansu Province.

In the Western Han Dynasty, the Huns became more powerful. The Han court started to build more walls on a larger scale in order to consolidate the frontier. In the west, the wall along the Hexi corridor, Yumenguan Pass, and Yangguan Pass was built. In the north, Yanmenguan Pass and Niangziguan Pass in Shanxi were set up. Many more sections of the wall extended to Yinshan Mountain and half of the ancient Silk Road was along the Han's wall.

The Northern Wei, Northern Qi and Northern Zhou Dynasties all built their own sections but on a smaller scale than the walls in the Han Dynasty. The powerful Tang Dynasty saw peace between the northern tribes and central China most of the time, so few Great Wall sections were built in this period.

The Ming Dynasty is the peak of wall building in Chinese history. The Ming suffered a lot by disturbances from minority tribes such as the Dadan, Tufan and Nuzhen. The Ming court from its first emperor to the last ceaselessly built walls in the north. The main line started from Jiuliancheng near the Yalu River in the east to the Jiayuguan Pass in the west and measured over 4,600 miles. Besides adding many more miles of its own, the Ming emperors ordered enlargement of the walls of previous dynasties into double-line or multi-line walls. For example, out of Yanmenguan Pass were added three big stone walls and 23 small stone walls. Eleven Garrisons were distributed along the main line of the wall. The countless walls, fortresses, and watch towers made the country strongly fortified. In the early Qing Dynasty, some sections of the walls were repaired and several sections were extended. This great engineering work stopped in the middle of the Qing Dynasty.

Owing to its long history, natural disasters and human activities, many sections of the Great Wall are severely damaged and disappearing. Being a world-famous engineering project and witness to the rise and fall of Chinese history, the Great Wall, needs us to take immediate action to protect it!

Protection of the Great Wall

Mention of the Great Wall evokes an image of a huge dragon flying freely on beautiful mountains. Unfortunately, this great image exists only in the well-protected Great Wall scenic areas, such as the Badaling Great Wall, Mutianyu Great Wall, and Simatai Great Wall. Most other sections lie broken in remote vast grasslands and boundless deserts, exposed to thousands of years of rains, snows and winds. Many were swallowed by sand before becoming known to the world. The matter of protecting the Great Wall cannot be delayed.

The Great Wall, owing to its huge bulk, long length and variant construction materials, is difficult to protect well compared to other relics which can be kept in museums. Besides natural disasters such as storms and earthquakes, the wall also suffers from human sabotage. There are four primary types of man-made sabotages. The first is the taking of bricks, earth and stones from the wall for constructional materials. The second is modern construction (such as the highway building) that develops at the price of damaging the wall. The third is damage caused by tourism access development. In recent years, people have learned the importance of wall protection. Since they innocently repair the wall according to their own imagination without concern for its historical appearance, this is also considered a kind of damage.

Being one of the world cultural and natural heritages, the Great Wall of China, belongs to the world, so everyone has the responsibility to protect it. Visitors should behave themselves on the wall, never defacing the bricks, never moving the bricks and never throwing litter about. People who live near the wall should not take bricks, stones and earth from the wall to build their own houses, or dig in the wall for sheepfolds or latrines. Officials should complete and enforce relevant regulations and laws. In September of 2006, the State Council promulgated the regulation on the protection of the Great Wall which went into effect on December 1 of the same year.

Merry Christmas Celebration Around the World

The Christmas is celebrated in almost all the countries around the world. People from all religions try to get the happiest moment during this festival. Christians normally celebrate this by going Church, offering prayer and attending family and friends party. Other religions like Hindu, Muslims, Buddhist, Jews celebrate as a part of gathering, offering best wishes and attending family and friend party.

AUSTRALIA

As Australia was settled by the British, Christmas customs are the descendants of the
traditional British Christmas. A traditional meal includes a turkey dinner, with ham, and pork. A flaming Christmas plum pudding is added for dessert. In the Australian gold rushes, Christmas puddings often contained a gold nugget. Today a small favor is baked inside. Whoever finds this knows s/he will enjoy good luck. Another treat is Mince Pies. One tradition that is purely Australian began in 1937 by a radio announcer, Norman Banks who saw a lonely old woman listening to Christmas carols on the radio while a lone candle burned forlornly in her window. The following Christmas Eve he broadcast a great carol sing by all who want to join in , from the Alexandra Gardens along the banks of Melbourne's main river. "Carols by Candlelight" became a joyous annual event and was eventually broadcast in many other countries around the world. Australians surround themselves with Christmas Bush, a native plant which has little red flowered leaves.

AUSTRIA

Christmas is the most important holiday in Austria. Christmas in Austria is a very musical time. Many of the world's greatest carols came from here. December 6 is the day when St. Nicholas and his grotesque assistant, Krampus, may pay a visit. On December 24th, when the city is frantic with last minute shoppers, the countryside is a refuge for quiet traditions. Farmers chalk the initials of the Three Wise Men on the archway of the stable door; C for Caspar, M for Melchoir, and B for Balthazar, to protect the heard from sickness in the coming year. Christmas trees are lit on this day and in many villages "shelter-seekers" plod through deep snow from farm to farm re-enacting the plight of Mary and Joseph as they sought shelter on the eve of Christ's birth.

BANGLADESH

Because Bangladesh is mainly Muslim country, there is no official celebration of Christmas. However, Christmas is celebrated as a gift-giving ceremony. Christians in Bangladesh decorate mango or banana trees at Christmas time. Sometimes they also decorate their houses with mango leaves. Capital Dhaka becomes colorful during Christmas Evening.


BELGIUM

In Belgium, St. Nicholas pays two visits to each house. On December 4 he comes to check
into the behavior of each child, to find out if they have been naughty or nice. Then on
December 6 he returns with just rewards for all, either presents or switches, which he leaves in the shoes or small baskets that have been placed inside near the doorway, where he will easily find them. Just to get on his good side there are snacks of hay, water and carrots left for his horse or donkey. Christmas Day is reserved for religious celebrations & Nativity plays sponsored by the churches. They are often performed in 16th century costumes. In small villages, there are often three virtuous men chosen to portray the three Wise Men and go throughout the town, caroling at each doors and receiving small gifts of food.


BRAZIL

Christmas comes at the beginning of their summer season. It is a time for boating,
picnicking and other summer festivities. The red and green of Christmas decorations are
provided eucalyptus leaves and brilliant red flowers of many sorts. Father Christmas is called Papai Noel. Many Christmas customs are similar to USA or UK. For those who have enough money, a special Christmas meal will be chicken, turkey, ham, rice, salad, pork, fresh and dried fruits, often with beer. Poorer people will just have chicken and rice. Christmas evening can be spent outdoors in the balmy weather and is a great time for fireworks. The people of Northern Brazil, as in Mexico, enjoy a version of the folk play Los Pastores ("The Shepherds.") In the Brazilian version, there are shepherdesses rather than shepherds and a gypsy who attempts to kidnap the Christ Child.


CHINA

Christians in China celebrate by lighting their houses with beautiful paper lanterns and
decorating their Christmas trees, which they call "Trees of Light," with paper chains, paper
flowers, and paper lanterns. Chinese Children hang muslin stockings and await a visit from
Santa Claus, whom they call Dun Che Lao Ren (dwyn-chuh-lau-oh-run) which means
"Christmas Old Man." The non-Christian Chinese call this season the Spring Festival and celebrate with many festivities that include delicious meals and pay respects to their ancestors. The children are the main focus of these celebrations, they receive new clothes and toys, eat delectable food and watch firecrackers displays.


DENMARK

The main festival of the year in Denmark is Christmas. Danes celebrate Christmas Eve on December 24 and prolong the Christmas through December 25 and 26. Though many longstanding traditions have disappeared over the years, many traditions such as the family gathering at Christmas, lighting Christmas tree candles, and the month-long calendar candy are still celebrated today. On Christmas Eve, after a splendid of traditional goose, Danish families light candles on the beautifully decorated Christmas tree. After dancing round the tree, singing traditional songs, the members of the family exchange gifts. Some of the family will probably have attended church services in the afternoon.


EGYPT

Christmas Day is celebrated on the 7th of January, equal to the 29th of the Coptic month
Khiahk. On that day rich people distribute zalabya(donughts)and bouri(mullet fish). The
churches have always been decorated with special lamps and candles. Copts also give
candles to the poor. They are said to represent the candles Joseph used to protect Mary with on the night of Jesus's birth. At midnight a special service is held by the Coptic Pope. After the service families go home to break their fast. Children recieve new clothes and gifts. Copts also eat special sweet biscuits marked with a cross. Those biscuits are called Kahk and were originally eaten by Moslems on Eid el Fitr when Moslems too break their fast.

ENGLAND

Father Christmas, who reigns in the place of Santa Claus or St. Nicholas, is depicted wearing long robes with sprigs of holly in his long white hair. Letters are sent to him by children who want to make sure he has got their order right. These letters are not mailed though; they are thrown into the fireplace. If they go up the chimney, the wish will be granted; if not, one's wish goes not granted. Stockings are hung by the chimney or at the foot of the child's bed to receive small presents, which are opened Christmas morning. The Christmas tree has occupied a central position in the festivities, however, it has never completely replaced the combination of greenery & mistletoe called the kissing bough. In the countryside Christmas mummers can be found who perform plays and waits still carol through the streets. The church bell is rung once for every year since Christ's birth with the last stroke timed exactly for midnight. The Christmas meal consists of roast turkey or beef and desserts are mincemeat pies and plum puddings.

FRANCE

Nearly every French home at Christmastime displays a Nativity scene or creche, which serves as the focus for the Christmas celebration. The creche is often peopled with little clay figures called santons or "little saints." An extensive tradition has evolved around these little figures which are made by craftsmen in the south of France throughout the year. In addition to the usual Holy Family, shepherds, and Magi, the craftsmen also produce figures in the form of local dignitaries and characters. The Christmas tree has never been particularly popular in France, and though the use of the Yule log has faded, the French make a traditional Yule log-shaped cake called the buche de Nol, which means "Christmas Log." The cake, among other food in great abundance is served at the grand feast of the season, which is called le rveillon. Le rveillon is a very late supper held after midnight mass on Christmas Eve. French children receive gifts from Pere Noel who travels with his stern disciplinarian companion Pre Fouettard. Pre Fouettard reminds Pere Noel of just how each child has behaved during the past year. In some parts of France Pere Noel brings small gifts on St. Nicholas Eve (December 6) and visits again on Christmas. In other places it is le petit Jesus who brings the gifts.

GERMANY

Germans love to decorate their houses in various ways at Christmas. Many houses will have little wooden frames holding electric candles and colorful pictures of Santa Claus in their windows. They will have an 'Adventskranz' - a wreath of leaves with four candles. Advent means 'coming', is the 4 week period before Christmas). On each Sunday of Advent, another candle is lit. Most homes will also have little wooden 'cribs' means a small model of the stable where Jesus was born, with Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, and animals. After people have been to a church meeting, they get together under the Christmas tree. One person in the family will ring a bell and call everyone to come to the room to have verities of delicious food.



HOLLAND

In the Netherlands St. Nicholas is known as Sinterklaas. To the Dutch, St. Nicholas' Day is
the time of greatest revelry in the Christmas season. St. Nicholas comes on the last
Saturday of November by steamer. As he comes into the port of Amsterdam, all business
and traffic stops as the people pour out to greet him. The Christmas tree is the center of the home celebration, which consists of carols and story-telling in the afternoon. December 26 is also a holiday, called Second Christmas Day, and is a time to relax and probably go out to eat. The people of Twente in east Holland hold a special Advent ceremony in which special horns are blown to chase away evil spirits and to announce the birth of Christ. Horns are homemade out of one-year-old saplings and are three or four feet long. Blown over wells, they sound a deep tone, similar to a foghorn.

INDIA

Christmas is celebrated as an appropriate time for gift-giving and travel. Christians in India decorate their house with colored paper and lights. In some rural parts of India, small clay oil-burning lamps are used as Christmas decorations; they are placed on the edges of flat roofs and on the tops of walls. Churches are decorated with poinsettias and lit with candles for the Christmas Even service. Decoration during Christmas almost similar as Diwali in India. Other religion like Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, celebrate Christmas as a part of their culture by going to Church during the evening , decorating their house, attending community services.


IRELAND

To the Irish, Christmas is a time for religious celebration rather than revelry. The best-known Christmas custom is that of putting a candle in the window, often decorated with some greenery, on Christmas Eve. The idea is to help light the way of the Holy Family or any other poor traveler out on such a night. After the evening meal, the table is also set with bread and milk and the door left unlocked as a symbol of hospitality that the family is offering to Mary and Joseph and the little one to come. The only festive note that is struck is in the pudding that caps the meal. Three puddings are made early in December, one each for Christmas, New Year's, and Twelfth Night. The day after Christmas, St. Stephen's Day, witnesses the rowdy old custom of hunting the wren, when boys go from door to door with a wren on a stick (today the wren is not a real one), singing the traditional song and begging for treats.

ISRAEL

Bethlehem, the little town where Jesus is said to have been born is the site of the Church of
the Nativity, which is ablaze with flags and decorations every Christmas. On Christmas Eve
natives and visitors alike crowd the church's doorways and stand on the roof to watch for the dramatic annual procession. Galloping horsemen and police mounted on Arabian horses
lead the parade. They are followed by solitary horseman carrying a cross and sitting astride
a coal-black steed. Then come the churchmen and government officials. The procession
solemnly enters the doors and places an ancient effigy of the Holy Child in the church. Deep
winding stairs lead to a grotto where visitors find a silver star marking the site of the birth of Jesus. Christian homes in Bethlehem are marked by a cross painted over the door and each home displays a homemade manger scene. A star is set up on a pole in the village square.

ITALY

Christmas in Italy is primarily a season of religious observance. It lasts for three weeks, from December 6th to Christmas Eve, beginning with a novena, or nine-day period of religious devotion. The celebrations end with the feast of Epiphany on January 6th. Christmas in Italy, has two origins. The familiar traditions of Christianity blended with the pagan traditions predating the Christmas era. The greatest feast of the ancient Roman Empire, "Saturnalia" (a winter solstice celebration), just happens to coincide with the Christmas celebrations of the Advent.
Christmas Eve is a time for viewing Italy's artistic and elaborate manger scenes or Cribs. They consist of figurines, in clay or plaster , of the infant Jesus, Mary and Joseph. An ox and ass are nearby because legend has it that they warmed the child with their breath. It is around this basic focal point that individual artisans create their own intricate landscapes. There may be grottoes, small trees, lakes, rivers, the lights of "Bethlehem" in the background, angels hung from wires, and occasionally, even local heroes. The most beautiful Cribs are set up in churches. There is often a contest between churches of the same town for the best Crib. People go from church to church to view and compare the Cribs and displays.

JAMAICA

Christmas starts with cleaning up the house. Walls are painted, the lawn is properly manicured, stones and trees are white washed. An animal is killed, a pig or a goat, and this is done a few days before Christmas. The meat shared with the neighbors or there is an exchange of whatever the other person has to offer. Large white yams, fruits, vegetables etcetera are reaped. A lot of sharing goes on. Most traditional churches have Carol Services, Christmas cantatas or concerts. Youngsters act and reenact the Christmas Story (The Birth of Christ) different times during the season. School would have had a similar occasion but this would have started and ended just before Mid-December when school goes on the Christmas Break. The sharing of gifts in schools and Sunday School is also a feature of Christmas in Jamaica.

JAPAN

Christmas was introduced in Japan by the Christian missionaries, and for many years the only people who celebrated it were those who had turned to the Christian faith. But now the Christmas season in Japan is full of meaning and is almost universally observed. The story of the Child Jesus born in a manger is fascinating to the little girls of Japan, for they love anything having to do with babies. In the scene of the Nativity they become familiar for the first time with a cradle, for Japanese babies never sleep in cradles. Many western customs in observing Christmas have been adopted by the Japanese. Besides exchanging gifts they eat turkey on Christmas Day, and in some places there are even community Christmas trees. They decorate their houses with evergreens and mistletoe, and in some homes Christmas carols are sung gaily.


MEXICO

Several weeks before Christmas, elaborately decorated market stalls or puestos are set up
in the plazas of every town and city. The puestos offer crafts of every conceivable kind, foods such as cheese, bananas, nuts, and cookies, and flowers such as orchids and poinsettias. The poinsettia is native to Mexico and is believed to have first been used in connection with Christmas in the17th century when Mexican Franciscans included the flowers in their Christmas celebration. The main Christmas celebration in Mexico is called las posadas, which refers to processions reenacting Joseph and Mary's search for a place to stay in Bethlehem.


POLAND

Christmas Eve is a time of family gathering and reconciliation. It's also a night of magic. Animals are said to talk in a human voice and people have the power to tell the future. The belief was born with our ancestors who claimed that Dec. 24 was a day to mark the beginning of a new era. It was bolstered by sayings such as, "As goes Christmas Eve, goes the year." Hoping for a good 12 months, everyone was polite and generous to one another and forgave past grievances. Polish rural residents are among the few who still keep up the old Christmas Eve customs. In eastern Poland it is still believed that girls who grind poppy seed on Christmas Eve can hope for a quick marriage. After dinner, they leave the house, and the direction of the first dog bark points to where their future husband will come from. Another fortune-telling trick is eavesdropping on the neighbors. If in a casual conversation, the girl hears the word "Go" it means she will get married in the coming year. A loud "Sit" announces long-lasting maidenhood.

PUERTO RICO

Early in the Christmas season, carolers begin going from house to house and from farm to farm. They wear homemade costumes of what the Magi might have worn and sing bright Spanish carols called aquinaldos and villancicos. They are rewarded with food and drink, and many from each house will join them, so that eventually there are great crowds going singing from place to place. Nine days before Christmas, the Mass of the Carols begins. This takes place each morning at 5:30 a.m. It is filled with music and usually the caroling continues on the way to work or home. The manger scenes are peopled with santos, hand-carved figures, that represent some oldest works of art. The tree and Santa Claus are also popular. Gifts arrive Christmas morning, but also on the Epiphany. On January 5 in the
evening, children leave water, grass and grain under their beds for the camels of the Wise Men and the next day find presents in their place.


ROMANIA

The tradition in Romania is for children to travel from house to house singing carols and reciting poetry and legends throughout the Christmas season. Carols form an important part of the Romanian folklore. Romanian carols are not simple songs (a sort of invocation in verse sung by children and lads, on the evening of Winters Holidays) with religions origin, but wide windows thought which we are allowed once in a year to go by the immaculate snow-towards the evergreen Heaven and to eye- touch God at least for an instant , in order to give us the power to surpass the life's obstacles. Carols put people in the mood for a perfect communion with the simple and healing greatness of Jesus' Birth.


RUSSIA

St. Nicholas is especially popular in Russia. The legend is that the 11th-century Prince Vladimir traveled to Constantinople to be baptized, and returned with stories of miracles performed by St. Nicholas of Myra. Since then many Eastern Orthodox Churches have been named for the saint, and to this day, Nicholas is one of the most common names for Russian boys. In the days of the Soviet Union, Christmas was not celebrated very much. New Year was the important time - when 'Father Frost' brought presents to children. With the fall of Communism, Christmas can be openly celebrated - either on December 25th; or more often on January 7th. This unusual date is because the Russian Orthodox church uses the old 'Julian' calendar for religious celebration days. Special Christmas food includes cakes, pies and 'meat dumplings'.

SPAIN

Christmas is a deeply religious holiday in Spain. The Christmas holiday season is full of the usual Christmas festivities, but there is one tradition, not at all common elsewhere. Named "Hogueras" (bonfires), this tradition originated long before Christmas itself. It is the observance of the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year and the beginning of winter. It is characterized by people jumping over fires as a symbolic protection against illness. This fire-jumping can be seen primarily in Granada and Jaen. As in many European countries, the children of Spain receive gifts on the feast of the Epiphany. The Magi are particularly revered in Spain. It is believed that they travel through the countryside reenacting their journey to Bethlehem every year at this time. Children leave their shoes on the windowsills and fill them with straw, carrots, and barley for the horses of the Wise Men. Their favorite is Balthazar who rides a donkey and is the one believed to leave the gifts.

SWEDEN

A thousand years ago in Sweden, King Canute declared that Christmas would last a month, from December 13, the feast of St. Lucia until January 13, or Tjugondag Knut (St. Canute's Day). The most important day is Christmas Eve. A special Christmas meal is eaten on Christmas Eve - ham (pork), herring fish, and brown beans - and this is the time when families give presents to each other. Many people attend a church meeting early on Christmas Day. The traditional Christmas Eve dinner would start off with a smorgasbord with a sip of akvavit; then lutfisk, a sun-dried cod served in cream sauce, and ham; finally rice pudding with an almond in it. On Christmas Day there is a service a 5:00 a.m. After that the day is devoted to rest and to religious observance.


SWITZERLAND

In terms of its traditions, Switzerland is basically four different countries. There are German, French and Italian areas. Gifts may be given either on Christmas Eve or New Year's Day, and they are brought by the Christkindli or St. Nicholas or even Father Christmas with his wife Lucy. Both the manger and the Christmas tree hold sway. Carols drift on the air in four languages. Switzerland has maintained its careful neutrality by absorbing the best of all nations.

Christmas In Goa - Happy Birthday To Goa!

CHRISTMAS
Celebrated on : 25th December
Rejoiced in Memory of : Birth Anniversary of Jesus Christ
Celebrated As : Season of Festivity and Goodwill
Other Attractions : Concerts and Carol Singing

FACT FILE
Major Venue :	All over Goa.
Major Attractions :	Traditional Midnight Masses, Glittering Christmas Trees.
Activities :	Celebrations Begin around Mid December. It is a Perfect time for Shopping and Enjoying the Night Life.
Famous Churches :	Bascilica De Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral, Church of Our Lady of Rosary, Church of St. Anne.
Don't Miss :	The Delicious Cake and Pudding Prepared Especially During this Festival.
Must Enjoy :	The Market Place are Empurpled with Trinklets and Glittering Christmas Trees are found in all the Nooks and Corner of the State.
Inside Tip :	There are Arrangements for Night Parties which are mainly attended by the Tourists.
Keep in Mind :	This Festival is a Family Affair for the Goans.

It is the time when the nature welcomes you. The heartburnt leaves fall on the ground only to open the doors to usher in the grandest of all celebrations in Goa. Yes, it is Christmas, the festival that marks the birth of lord Jesus on the mist clad day of 25th December every year. The whole of this drop of golden sand (read Goa) springs up to life during these few days of merriment. People from different pockets of India and all over the world throng to this seductive abode during their holiday vacation to be a part of exotic fiesta that pulsates with the tunes of sun, sea and Santa! Christmas is calling, where are you?

The Holy Face of Christmas

December is the holiest month. For Catholics in Goa, it marks a series of feasts that are universally celebrated regardless of where one is from. And amidst those colourful moments of gaiety, rises the starry night of 24th December. Hands of time coupled together to welcome the auspicious occasion of the Lord's birth. Churches adorn themselves in colouful papers and poinsettias and the whole ambience illuminates with the vibrant aroma of candles that create a magnificent sight, a pleasure to behold. People gather in the morning to attend masses which create an inescapable devotional aroma. Wake up to the euphony of church bells and sleep with the bursting of crackers. Goa is a place where the high spirits doesn't seem to cascade and you cannot break loose from the charm of frolic.

What All You Can Do

By Christmas Eve, Goa overflows with farflung members of families returning home and visitors keen to experience the thrills of the season - from Christmas carols on Fm radio, in buses and bars to long-drawn midnight masses. The nativity scene will be creatively put together with clay statues, millet grass, hay and boxboard artifacts. The bustling market places are all embellished with tinsel and buntings, and jocund people masquerading as Santa stalk customers, particularly children with gifts in the big cities. It is indeed an impressive sight and one should miss the frolic of wandering on Goa's streets. Houses are decorated with the glowing star and little Christmas trees decorated with sparling stars, cotton or snow flakes, lights, candy and cakes. You can even see some Hindu homes adorned with small clay oil-burning lamps as Christmas decorations. These small clay lamps are placed on the edges of flat roofs and on the tops of walls. Gifts are exchanged with friends and family, and diet charts are replaced with mouth-watering goodies that sum up the ceremony.

Reserve a suite in a luxurious hotel and enjoy Christmas like you have never before. The opulent loobies are trimmed with radiant ribbons and exquisite parquetry, that make them a holiday paradise. Nights pulsate with Christmas songs which eventually lead up to Goan trance as the night continues.

Drive Your Way

The pleasure of visiting Goa during the Christmas cannot be summed up in words. You have to go there to experience it. Don't think that the ceremony and frolic reaches its extremes only in big hubs. The villages also have different channels to enjoy their hearts out and that is an extravaganza not to be missed. So, plan a holiday trip and splurge on...

Other Hotels in Goa
• Cidade De • Victor Exotica • Presa De • Taj Fort Aguda • Aldeia Santa Rita • Sun Village • Alor Grande Resort • Varca Beach Resort • Bagmollo Beach Resort • Radisson White Sand Resort • The Old Anchor	• Goa Marriott Resort • Galaxy Beach Resort • The Leela Palace • Majorda Beach Resort • Intercontinental The Grand Resort • Silver Sands – Colva Beach • Casa De • Varca Palms Beach Resort • Vista De Colva • The Flushing Meadows • Inter Continental • Clarion the Beach	• Phoenix Park Inn • Taj Exotica • Clarion The Beach • Taj Holiday Village • Bambolim Beach Resort • Ramada Caravela Beach Resort • Whispering Palms Beach Resort • Clarion The Beach • Dona Silvia Resort • Holiday Inn • Marquis Beach Resort
Churches of Goa	Festivals of Goa	Goa Tourism Guide
• Se Cathedral • St. Francis of Assisi • The Carmelites • St. Cajetan • St. Francis Xavier	• Bonderam Festival • Christmas • Feast Of Three Kings • Goa Carnival • Good Friday/ Easter	• Arts & Crafts • Dances • Entertainment • Water Sports .

Tropical Islands of Fiji

The Republic of the Fiji Islands, or Fiji, is an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Vanuatu, west of Tonga and south of Tuvalu. The country occupies an archipelago with two sizable islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, where the majority of inhabitants live, and is joined by over eight hundred islands, with about one hundred regularly inhabited. The name Fiji is the old Tongan word for the islands, which is turn derived from the Fijian name Viti.

Fiji consists of 322 islands, of which about one third are inhabited. The two most important islands are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Viti Levu hosts the capital city of Suva, and is home to nearly three quarters of the population. The islands are mountainous, with peaks up to 1200 m, and covered with tropical forests. Other important towns include Nadi, (location of the international airport) as well as Labasa, Lautoka, and Savusavu. Other islands and island groups include Taveuni and Kadavu (the third and fourth largest islands respectively, the Mamanuca Group (just outside Nadi) and Yasawa Group, which are popular tourist destinations, the Lomaiviti Group, outside of Suva, and the remote Lau Group.

Travel And Tourism in Switzerland

Euromonitor International's Travel And Tourism in Switzerland report offers a comprehensive guide to the market at a national level. It looks at travel accommodation, transportation, car rental, tourist attractions and retail travel. It identifies the leading companies and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market, including background information on disposable income, annual leave and holiday taking habits.

Get immediate access to strategic market analysis when you buy reports online

Why buy this report

• Get insight into trends in market performance
• Pinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change
• Identify market and brand leaders and understand the competitive environment

Product coverage

Airline capacity and utilisation; Arrivals by country of origin; Arrivals by mode of transport; Arrivals by purpose of visit; Car rental services by sector; Demand factors; Departures by destination; Departures by mode of transport; Departures by purpose of visit; Domestic tourism by destination; Domestic tourism by mode of transport; Tourism receipts and expenditure; Tourist attractions; Transportation; Travel accommodation; Travel retail services

Executive summary

Increased tourist movements not enough to keep spending level in 2005, as average spending per traveller drops

Total tourism spending declined by 1% in current value terms in 2005. This comes as somewhat of a surprise in the general climate of a still recovering tourism industry. The positive trend in the industry is confirmed by the increasing number of travellers in Swiss tourism. Arrivals to Switzerland grew by over 5% in 2005, while departures and domestic tourist trips each grew by around 2%. But in the meantime, in current value terms, outgoing tourism spending dropped by close to 5%, while incoming tourism spending was down 1% and domestic down 2%.

Travellers in 2005 turned to more frequent, less expensive forms of travel and at the same time, prices were down to increase volume growth of travel and tourism now that the industry has virtually recovered from bad years and needs to expand.

The coming of age of the demographic giants of Asia are now set to become big business for Swiss tourism

In 2005, one very remarkable statistic concerning the Swiss tourism industry is the exponential growth of the number of Chinese travellers to the country, followed by the Indians. With the SARS epidemic behind and global economic recovery, China has resumed its trend of double-digit growth in tourists heading to Switzerland. But 2005 saw a spectacular increase in Chinese visitors with 90% growth to 141,300. Everyone is aware of the huge potential of China, and as the Chinese government continues to liberalise travel abroad, it seems that Switzerland, a strong vehicle of the Western way of life, is receiving much attention.

With Indian travellers also passing the 100,000 visitor mark for the first time in 2005, Asian travellers represent the best potential for growth that Switzerland has seen in decades.

Shorter, more frequent but less expensive trips are the latest trend in Swiss tourism

In 2005 the traditional 2-week trips are increasingly replaced by either trips shorter than one week or longer than 2-3 weeks. The Swiss made on average 2.5 trips this year. Over the review period, there was a tendency amongst Swiss travellers to split or shorten the main holiday and, at the same time, take an increased number of short breaks. The number of shorter breaks of 1-3 days is growing. Several factors can be evoked, but the main ones are the increasing popularity of weekend breaks thanks to better and cheaper transportation, namely within Europe, as well as the increasing individualism of households which often do not have children allowing for easier travel.

Growth of Internet sales picking up again after slowing in certain sectors, still has much potential

Growth of Internet transactions in 2005 has exceeded 50% in travel accommodation, transportation, car rental and travel retail. This represents a gain of momentum in most sectors and indicates that consumer confidence is high and that more people are still learning to use the Internet to its full possibilities.

However, with the exception of a very few areas, Internet sales still represented less than 5% of total sales in all sectors of the industry in 2005. In light of the sheer practicality of Internet reservations and sales, this indicates there is still vast potential for Internet sales in the Swiss tourism industry.

Introduction of low-cost car rental and re-centering of travel retail market the highlights of the competitive environment

The player with the most potential in the Swiss travel and tourism industry is surely easyCar, the new low-cost car rental agency by the easyGroup and which broke directly into the top players of the sector still dominated by Hertz. Elsewhere, while Deutsche Lufthansa and Swiss International Airlines share the skies, Accor Hotels is still battling strongly to establish its position and consolidate the Swiss hotel sector. Finally, travel retail has seen strong activity in terms of mergers and acquisitions by the main players such as Hotelplan, Kuoni and TUI to re-centre their core activity and focus on consolidating the sector.

Outlook bright for Swiss travel and tourism industry

Overall expenditure in the industry is expected to increase steadily over the forecast period. The greatest source of growth should be incoming tourism expenditure and the sectors doing the best are expected to be transportation and car rental as tourists become more mobile and expect to travel and discover more and more.

Christ the Redeemer

Christ the Redeemer (Portuguese: Cristo Redentor), is a statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.The statue stands 39.6 metres (130 feet) tall, weighs 700 tons, and is located at the peak of the 700-m (2296-foot) Corcovado mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park overlooking the city.

A symbol of Christianity, the statue has become an icon of Rio and Brazi

History

The idea for erecting a large statue atop Corcovado had been around since mid 1850s, when Catholic priest Pedro Maria Boss requested financing from Princess Isabel to build a large religious monument. Princess Isabel did not think much of the idea, which was completely dismissed in 1889, when Brazil became a Republic, with laws mandating the separation of church and state

The second proposal for a large landmark statue on the mountain was made in 1921 by the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro.^{[citation needed]} The archdiocese organized an event called Semana do Monumento ("Monument Week") to attract donations. The donations came mostly from Brazilian Catholics.The designs considered for the "Statue of the Christ" included a representation of the Christian cross, a statue of Jesus with a globe in his hands, and a pedestal symbolizing the world.^{[citation needed]} The statue of Christ the Redeemer with open arms was chosen

Local engineer Heitor da Silva Costa designed the statue; it was sculpted by Paul Landowski, a French monument sculptor of Polish origin. A group of engineers and technicians studied Landowski's submissions and the decision was made to build the structure out of reinforced concrete (designed by Albert Caquot) instead of steel, more suitable for the cross-shaped statue.The outer layers are soapstone, chosen for its enduring qualities and ease of use. Stone for the monument was taken from Limhamn, in Malmö, Sweden. Construction lasted five years — from 1926 to 1931 and the monument was opened on October 12, 1931. The cost of the monument was $250,000.

Recognitions and honors

In October 2006, on the statue's 75th anniversary, Archbishop of Rio Cardinal Eusebio Oscar Scheid consecrated a chapel (named for the patron saint of Brazil - Nossa Senhora Aparecida) under the statue.This allows Catholics to hold baptisms and weddings there.

As of 7 July 2007, Christ the Redeemer was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in a list compiled by the Swiss-based The New Open World Corporation In Brazil there was a campaign Vote no Cristo (Vote for the Christ) which had the support of private companies, namely telecommunications operators that stopped charging voters to make telephone calls to vote.

Additionally, leading corporate sponsors including Banco Bradesco and Rede Globo spent "millions" of dollars in the effort to have the statue voted into the top seven. Around the same time, the computer game Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword included the statue as a world wonder.

PYRAMIDS OF EGYPT

There are about 110 pyramids currently known in Egypt, many in a state of great disrepair and almost unrecognisable. Some were built as burial places for kings and others for queens. A pyramid also may have represented a stairway for the king to ascend to the heavens. Another possibility is that it was symbolic of the primeval mound on which the sun god/creator was born.

How the Egyptians managed the complex organisation of labour and the physical movement of large stone blocks is still a matter for debate. Pyramid construction may have involved ramps being erected around the pyramid. Blocks of stone would have been pulled up on sledges and the ramps dismantled later. It is believed that most of the labour for the construction of the pyramids would have come from farmers who were available during the inundation season when the Nile River flooded and farmland was underwater. It would also have been an ideal time for the transportation by boat of large stone blocks from their quarries to the pyramid sites.

The earliest pyramid was the Step Pyramid of king Djoser of the Old Kingdom's 3rd Dynasty over 4,600 years ago. The pyramid (at right) was the largest structure ever erected at Saqqara, the necropolis that overlooked the ancient capital of Memphis. Its construction was initially in the form of a low mastaba tomb upon which extra levels were gradually added to give it a step-like appearance.

Underneath Djoser's pyramid was a complex system of corridors with a burial chamber lined with Aswan pink granite about 28 metres underground. The entrance was sealed with a three-tonne granite plug. The pyramid's outside would have been cased with fine limestone, but this was removed long ago. Nearby were the Mortuary Temple, a Great Court and various other structures.
The first true pyramid (at right) was developed for King Sneferu during the 4th Dynasty of the Old Kingdom. It is referred to as the Red Pyramid, because of its colour, or the North Pyramid because of its position at Dashur south of Cairo. It was about 105 metres high with its sides measuring 220 metres.

The largest pyramid ever built was the Great Pyramid at Giza southwest of modern Cairo (see Giza and the Pyramids). Built for king Khufu, this pyramid was completed around 2550 BC.

It is estimated that the pyramid contains approximately 2,300,000 blocks of stone with an average weight of 2.5 tonnes each and some up to 15 tonnes. Its sides measure 230 metres in length. The structure would have towered about 146.6 metres high, but it is now a little shorter owing to the outer casing having been removed to build many of Cairo's buildings during the Middle Ages. The interior design was changed during the pyramid's construction and the burial chamber was relocated.

One of its most spectacular features is the enormous sloping Grand Gallery. At the Gallery's top is a low corridor which leads into the King's Chamber, the walls of which are made of polished granite. A large granite sarcophagus is open and no burial goods have ever been found.

To the east of the pyramid, some of the smooth basalt paving of the mortuary temple remains and the causeway which led to the river temple is now buried with the valley temple being under modern buildings. Small pyramids for queens are adjacent to the Great Pyramid, as are boat pits.

In 1954, a large cedar boat (pictured at left) was uncovered in one of the pits and then reassembled. It is now on display next to the pyramid. A second boat remains in pieces in another covered pit. The boats may have been provided for the deceased king to travel through the underworld.

The Giza Plateau also is home to two other large pyramids for the subsequent kings, Chephren and Menkaura. As with the Great Pyramid, both of these pyramids have valley temples and mortuary temples connected by causeways. However, next to Chephren's valley temple is the famous 73-metre long Sphinx and its associated temple.

Despite controversy over its age, most Egyptologists believe that the Sphinx was carved from a rocky outcrop at the same time as Chephren's pyramid.

The resources for building enormous pyramids during the rest of the Old Kingdom could not be mustered and the pyramids were both smaller and less well built. The 5th Dynasty pyramid of Unas at Saqqara is famous for its Pyramid Texts - the first funerary texts carved into the walls of any pyramid. The pyramid is located just south of the walled enclosure of the pyramid of Djoser.

During the Middle Kingdom, kings again built themselves pyramids, but being largely of mud-brick, they have not survived very well. Elaborate interior designs failed to stop ancient tomb robbers from breaking in and stealing the burial goods.

The time of large pyramids had passed, although small pyramids were used in some New Kingdom private burials as superstructures for funerary chapels. Restored examples exist at Deir el-Medina, the village of the workmen who constructed the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings.

Pyramids were also built south of Egypt in ancient Nubia (the northern part of today's Sudan), where there are actually more than in Egypt. Although being influenced by the Egyptian pyramids, the pyramids in Nubia had their own style and were built on a smaller scale and with steeper sides. In the case of the Nubian pyramids, the tombs of owners were usually underground with the pyramid built on top. The last pyramid was built in Nubia in the 4th century AD.